title: Chronic scapholunate instability treated by scaphocapitate fusion: a midterm outcome perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic scapholunate instability can lead to functional deficits and radiocarpal osteoarthritis. A number of procedures, namely scapho-trapezio-trapezoid (STT) fusion, scaphocapitate (SC) fusion or soft tissue reconstruction procedures, aim to improve function while protecting the wrist from osteoarthritis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Define the role of scaphocapitate fusion in comparison to STT fusion and capsulodesis and ligament reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A clinical, radiographic and functional evaluation was performed on 31 SC fusion cases with an average follow-up of 5 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Range of motion was 41° in flexion and 39° in extension. Radial-ulnar deviation was 43°. Strength was 32.5 kgf (Jamar). The DASH was 27% and the PRWE was 25%. Fifty percent of the wrists were pain-free at rest. Ninety-four percent of patients were satisfied with the procedure. Seventy-eight percent of patients had returned to their occupation. Radiographic analysis revealed that consolidation was obtained at 10.1weeks. The postoperative radioscaphoid angle was 55° with good radioscaphoid congruence. There was no osteoarthritis in the radioscaphoid joint in 84% of the cases. The non-union rate was 13%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data are similar to the few series that exist. STT fusion leads the same clinical results, but it is technically more difficult and has a higher rate of complications. Capsulodesis and ligament reconstruction provide the same functional results as SC fusion, but with slightly less stiffening. However, these techniques do not seem to protect the wrist from arthritic degeneration at longer follow-up. SC fusion is superior to STT fusion for the treatment of chronic scapholunate instability. This is a pain-relieving intervention with good clinical results and preservation of scaphoid stability. As a component of the surgeon's armamentarium, it can be held in the same regard as capsulodesis and ligament reconstruction for cases of chronic scapholunate instability with a non-reducible scaphoid, or after failure of a soft tissue reconstruction procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level 4, retrospective study.
authors.affiliation: SOS Mains Orléans, Val-de-Loire, Polyclinique des Longues-Allées, 45800 Saint-Jean-de-Braye, France. dr.fabiendeletang@me.com
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Delétang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Segret
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dap
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dautel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D012667:Lunate Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011884:Radius / Q000637:transplantation; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D016896:Treatment Outcome